Farm Safety Should be a Front Burner Issue

WASHINGTON (Sept. 11, 2014) – In honor of the United Nations’ 2014 International Year of Family Farming, this month National Farmers Union (NFU) is highlighting the importance of being proactive in the area of farm safety. Agriculture is consistently among the most hazardous occupations in the United States.

“The path to a safer farm and ranch is through proactively addressing ongoing and emerging occupational safety and health issues affecting U.S. agriculture,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “Family farmers and ranchers must work together to make farm safety a front burner issue and encourage farmers, producers and agribusiness owners to integrate safety into everyday practice so that it becomes part of their DNA, not just a program or a slogan. Safety is an approach to life and the workplace.”

In an average year, 516 workers die while doing farm work, and each day about 243 agricultural workers suffer lost-time injuries.

“To that end, National Farmers Union is implementing an education and outreach plan to help bring the safety mindset to farmers and ranchers where they live.” said Johnson. “The initiative will be unveiled later this year, and will help NFU make its mark on this important issue.”

To support our efforts, we encourage everyone to get involved and join National Farmers Union. Information can be found at www.nfu.org.

National Farmers Union has been working since 1902 to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities through advocating grassroots-driven policy positions adopted by its membership.
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